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Multiple Intelligences2

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed by Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983 and proposes that there are eight different types of intelligence rather than just a single general intelligence. These eight intelligences are linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. The theory suggests that schools and culture focus too heavily on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence and that individuals with gifts in other intelligences are not properly supported.

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73 views

Multiple Intelligences2

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed by Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983 and proposes that there are eight different types of intelligence rather than just a single general intelligence. These eight intelligences are linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. The theory suggests that schools and culture focus too heavily on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence and that individuals with gifts in other intelligences are not properly supported.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr.


Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It
suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q.
testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes eight different
intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in
children and adults. These intelligences are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Linguistic intelligence ("word smart")


Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
Musical intelligence ("music smart")
Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

Dr. Gardner says that our schools and culture focus most of their
attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. We
esteem the highly articulate or logical people of our culture. However,
Dr. Gardner says that we should also place equal attention on
individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists,
architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists,
entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live.
Unfortunately, many children who have these gifts dont receive much
reinforcement for them in school. Many of these kids, in fact, end up
being labeled "learning disabled," "ADD (attention deficit disorder," or
simply underachievers, when their unique ways of thinking and
learning arent addressed by a heavily linguistic or logicalmathematical classroom. The theory of multiple intelligences proposes
a major transformation in the way our schools are run. It suggests that
teachers be trained to present their lessons in a wide variety of ways
using music, cooperative learning, art activities, role play, multimedia,
field trips, inner reflection, and much more (see Multiple Intelligences
in the Classroom). The good news is that the theory of multiple
intelligences has grabbed the attention of many educators around the
country, and hundreds of schools are currently using its philosophy to
redesign the way it educates children. The bad news is that there are
thousands of schools still out there that teach in the same old dull way,
through dry lectures, and boring worksheets and textbooks. The
challenge is to get this information out to many more teachers, school
administrators, and others who work with children, so that each child
has the opportunity to learn in ways harmonious with their unique
minds (see In Their Own Way).

The theory of multiple intelligences also has strong implications for


adult learning and development. Many adults find themselves in jobs
that do not make optimal use of their most highly developed
intelligences (for example, the highly bodily-kinesthetic individual who
is stuck in a linguistic or logical desk-job when he or she would be
much happier in a job where they could move around, such as a
recreational leader, a forest ranger, or physical therapist). The theory
of multiple intelligences gives adults a whole new way to look at their
lives, examining potentials that they left behind in their childhood
(such as a love for art or drama) but now have the opportunity to
develop through courses, hobbies, or other programs of selfdevelopment (see 7 Kinds of Smart).
How to Teach or Learn Anything 8 Different Ways
One of the most remarkable features of the theory of multiple
intelligences is how it provides eight different potential pathways to
learning. If a teacher is having difficulty reaching a student in the more
traditional linguistic or logical ways of instruction, the theory of
multiple intelligences suggests several other ways in which the
material might be presented to facilitate effective learning. Whether
you are a kindergarten teacher, a graduate school instructor, or an
adult learner seeking better ways of pursuing self-study on any subject
of interest, the same basic guidelines apply. Whatever you are teaching
or learning, see how you might connect it with
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

words (linguistic intelligence)


numbers or logic (logical-mathematical intelligence)
pictures (spatial intelligence)
music (musical intelligence)
self-reflection (intrapersonal intelligence)
a physical experience (bodily-kinesthetic intelligence)
a social experience (interpersonal intelligence), and/or
an experience in the natural world. (naturalist intelligence)

For example, if youre teaching or learning about the law of supply and
demand in economics, you might read about it (linguistic), study
mathematical formulas that express it (logical-mathematical), examine
a graphic chart that illustrates the principle (spatial), observe the law
in the natural world (naturalist) or in the human world of commerce
(interpersonal); examine the law in terms of your own body [e.g. when
you supply your body with lots of food, the hunger demand goes down;
when there's very little supply, your stomach's demand for food goes
way up and you get hungry] (bodily-kinesthetic and intrapersonal);
and/or write a song (or find an existing song) that demonstrates the
law (perhaps Dylan's "Too Much of Nothing?").

You dont have to teach or learn something in all eight ways, just see
what the possibilities are, and then decide which particular pathways
interest you the most, or seem to be the most effective teaching or
learning tools. The theory of multiple intelligences is so intriguing
because it expands our horizon of available teaching/learning tools
beyond the conventional linguistic and logical methods used in most
schools (e.g. lecture, textbooks, writing assignments, formulas, etc.). To
get started, put the topic of whatever youre interested in teaching or
learning about in the center of a blank sheet of paper, and draw eight
straight lines or "spokes" radiating out from this topic. Label each line
with a different intelligence. Then start brainstorming ideas for
teaching or learning that topic and write down ideas next to each
intelligence (this is a spatial-linguistic approach of brainstorming; you
might want to do this in other ways as well, using a tape-recorder,
having a group brainstorming session, etc.). Have fun!
Resources
Armstrong, Thomas. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 3rd ed.
Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum
Development, 2009.
Armstrong, Thomas. 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your
Many Intelligences. New York: Plume, 1999.
Armstrong, Thomas. In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging
Your Child's Personal Learning Style, New York: Tarcher/Putnam, 1987.
Armstrong, Thomas. Youre Smarter Than You Think: A Kids Guide to
Multiple Intelligences. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit, 2002.
Armstrong, Thomas. The Multiple Intelligences of Reading and Writing:
Making the Words Come Alive.
Alexandria, VA:
Association of
Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2003.
Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
New York: Basic,1983
Gardner, Howard. Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice. New
York: Basic, 1993.
Gardner, Howard. Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the
21st Century. New York: Basic, 2000.

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